Key Verse: Mark 10:27
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

God has established humanly impossible standards. Why? Because He desires that we will learn that “with God all things are possible.” We can’t reach those standards on our own. “All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Jesus is the perfect manifestation of the Glory of God (please read John 1:14). In His response to the rich young ruler, Jesus establishes God’s standard. Our possessions must never become more important than our obedience. This young person found it impossible to surrender his wealth for the sake of Jesus. Notice two insights into this story: (1) Jesus loved this man. (2) The youth was truly sorry that he found it impossible to obey Jesus. Perhaps after Jesus’ death, resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower people, and the establishment of the Church, this man was among those who gave away their possessions for the sake of Christ (Acts 2:45). We don’t know, but remember, “with God all things are possible!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, I can’t follow You on my own. Therefore, I’m asking for special grace every day. With Your presence and power, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When my great-grandson, Myles Neilson, was four years old, he announced to me that he would never kill an animal. I said, “What if a lion was about to eat you and you had a gun…would you shoot the lion?” He thought about it and said, “No. I would raise my hands and say, ‘Stop!’ and God would tell him to stop!” He paused again and then said, “Well, maybe lions don’t listen to God very well.” This gave me the opportunity to tell him the story of Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6). In verses 13 to 16 of today’s reading, Jesus gives a profound truth about children. I have learned much from children. Once I’m sure I heard God’s still small voice speak to me saying, “David, you’ve become far too sophisticated. Be childlike as you once were, and you’ll see many more of My mighty works than you do now.”

Yours from a childlike heart,

David